Sep 17, 2010

Shark Tagging

Typically, when you see a great white shark and humans in the water at the same time, you wonder what the shark is doing to the humans. But not here. What in the world has given these blokes such huge smiles? They've successfully tagged the shark and are preparing to release it back into the wild.

First they hook a shark, then they haul it into a metal cradle. Once it's secured, they lift it out of the water and affix it with a satellite tag. All the while water seawater is pumped into its mouth and gills and it is injected with a hearty blend of drugs and vitamins to help it recover.

Of course, you've got to marvel at the folks who pioneered this technique. So much can go wrong just with the ocean. But adding great white sharks to the mix? I'm just glad there are people out there smarter and braver than me (not difficult to accomplish, really). The shark does too, even if he doesn't know it.

Thanks for the link, Rusty.

Photo source: Linda Staverees/Wildlife Conservation Society via Mother Nature Network

3 comments:

Nature Girl, April said...

You gotta admit... sounds like a very exciting job!

Anonymous said...

They're gonna need a bigger boat.

Anonymous said...

That is way, wayyy too close to the sharp end ;_;